TESTED: Superwinch Winch2Go Portable Winch
red milwaukee battery drill, bolts and nuts, markers, battery tray
Simple hand tools are all that’s needed to install the tray.

I went to the local hardware store and purchased bolts, locking nuts, some large fender washers (to go under and spread the load), and some small washers (to go under the nut heads).

Oh, look… drilling holes in things… again.

 

battery tray in bottom of tool box
I shoved the tray as far into the corner of the toolbox as it would go.

The front of the toolbox is to the left of the picture here. Heaven forbid the tray somehow gets dislodged, under braking, the battery can’t go very far forward. An ounce of prevention…

Installation was simple enough. I checked to make sure the battery would fit in the tray in this location and then marked the holes. I also double-checked to make sure that, when the holes were drilled, I wouldn’t be drilling into the structure of the trailer itself.

The front of the trailer has an “A” shape to the frame, and the toolbox sits on that frame. The large bolt just above the battery tray is where the toolbox is connected to the trailer frame. So, there was plenty of clearance for my four little bolts and washers.

 

plastic hold down with long bolt in packaging
Just like in your regular car, there is a hold-down bracket that… holds the battery… down.

I bought one that matches the battery tray. Easy enough.

 

brass battery terminals, bolts, allen key resting on concrete
XS offers a wide array of battery terminals that simply bolt onto the battery.

I ordered some standard SAE (automotive) posts to go with it since regular automotive posts is what the alligator clips on the Winch2Go cable are designed to attach to.

Also, note that XS has specific charging instructions before first use. Don’t forget!

5 comments

  1. Nice, I just installed a Warn VR8000 on my trailer that i got on Facebook marketplace for $500 CAD. I used a hitch reciever off a parts truck I had, and a $79 Amazon portable winch plate that xomes with a locking hitch pin for a bit of security. Bit of cutting, welding, and paint and it is the best trailer mod yet for loading the non running junk I like.

    1. Now that I have a winch, I will never want to have a trailer without one. I want to figure out a way to use a snatch block to allow for more convenient winching of vehicles that have tow points in different spots. Your setup sounds nice!

  2. Thought this was the primary purpose of Harbor Freight’s winches. A 5k is like $200 bucks.

    Though the “winch in a box” would be a great option for someone with like, a Subaru Outback who goes to the snow a lot. You could throw it in when necessary, but don’t have to get all Battlewagon-y just to have an option if someone’s stuck.

    1. A winch that’s critical for getting the race car on the trailer is not something where I want to tempt fate with Harbor Freight “disposable tools.” If this was a non-critical application, it probably would be a totally viable option. There are a lot of tools I would and have bought from Harbor Freight. I don’t think a winch is going on that list 😃

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